Empress CiXi: CiXi was born on November 3,1835 from the Yehonala clan. When the Manchus had conquered China, CiXi was chosen as a consort along with a group of other women. The Xianfeng emperor needed a successor but his wife was dead and he didn’t have a son. The emperor had many consorts but, CiXi was the one who gave birth to a son. In effect, she was promoted to a higher rank known as “imperial consort of the first rank.”
The emperor Xainfeng died on August 20,1861 in his summer home. The day before his death the emperor announced that his son, Zaichun, was the heir. However, Zaichun was only 5 years old at the time. Since the power could not be put in the child’s hands there was conflict.
A group of eight men claimed that the deceased emperor had given them the power of being regents. In other words, they said they were entitled to rule because the heir was a minor. There was a secret meeting that was held to create an alliance between Prince Gong and Xainfeng’s widows. With the help of Prince Gong and his troops, the empresses were able to arrest the regents.
After the arrest, Cixi, Prince Gong, and another empress named Cian became the rulers. However Empress Cixi was so forceful that she became the sole ruler.
Sino-Japanese war: Japan was influenced by the westerners whereas China was still holding onto its traditions. Because of the pressure of modernization Japan and China went to war over Taiwan in 1894. China lost to Japan. Japan gained Taiwan as a result.
Hundred Days of Reform: Chinese people were humiliated by the loss of the Sino-Japanese war. People became divided between western beliefs and traditional beliefs. The Hundred Days of Reform was started by the emperor Guang Xu in 1898. Dramatic changes were made to the Chinese government. Many reforms westernized Chinese industry, medicine, and science. Changes led to better education and more academic institutions. Reforms also effected military and attacked corruption.
The new western ways were a threat to the traditional ways. The higher class society in China greatly objected to some of the reforms, especially those centered around corruption. As a result Guang Xu was imprisoned and the empress CiXi took control once again.
Reforms
Empress CiXi: CiXi was born on November 3,1835 from the Yehonala clan. When the Manchus had conquered China, CiXi was chosen as a consort along with a group of other women. The Xianfeng emperor needed a successor but his wife was dead and he didn’t have a son. The emperor had many consorts but, CiXi was the one who gave birth to a son. In effect, she was promoted to a higher rank known as “imperial consort of the first rank.”
The emperor Xainfeng died on August 20,1861 in his summer home. The day before his death the emperor announced that his son, Zaichun, was the heir. However, Zaichun was only 5 years old at the time. Since the power could not be put in the child’s hands there was conflict.
A group of eight men claimed that the deceased emperor had given them the power of being regents. In other words, they said they were entitled to rule because the heir was a minor. There was a secret meeting that was held to create an alliance between Prince Gong and Xainfeng’s widows. With the help of Prince Gong and his troops, the empresses were able to arrest the regents.
After the arrest, Cixi, Prince Gong, and another empress named Cian became the rulers. However Empress Cixi was so forceful that she became the sole ruler.
Sino-Japanese war: Japan was influenced by the westerners whereas China was still holding onto its traditions. Because of the pressure of modernization Japan and China went to war over Taiwan in 1894. China lost to Japan. Japan gained Taiwan as a result.
Hundred Days of Reform: Chinese people were humiliated by the loss of the Sino-Japanese war. People became divided between western beliefs and traditional beliefs. The Hundred Days of Reform was started by the emperor Guang Xu in 1898. Dramatic changes were made to the Chinese government. Many reforms westernized Chinese industry, medicine, and science. Changes led to better education and more academic institutions. Reforms also effected military and attacked corruption.
The new western ways were a threat to the traditional ways. The higher class society in China greatly objected to some of the reforms, especially those centered around corruption. As a result Guang Xu was imprisoned and the empress CiXi took control once again.